Hocus Pocus was released in September 2022 and even before it's release fans were hoping that it could possibly lead to a third film and maybe even an entire Hocus Pocus universe.
Entertainment Weekly revealed in September 2022 during an exclusive video that all three Sanderson Sisters would like to return for a third. Bette told EW:
"I'm envious of other actors who have franchises, and I was hoping for a sequel to First Wives Club, but we never got that. After 30 years with no sequel to Hocus Pocus, I've always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once. The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I'm glad we got to do it. I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing," Midler says. "If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how. I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It's good for women. We stick together through hell and high water, but we do cause mayhem, and not many women cause that much mayhem!"
In the same interview Kathy did show interest in returning for a third film but did express her concern that the ending to Hocus Pocus 2 appears like they've "pulled every story you could pull out of this". Sarah Jessica Parker also went on to add that she thought Kathy's idea of an animated sequel would be a great idea; "Kathy had a good idea that the third one should be animated. That would be cool and a smart idea. It's fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new [animation]," she explains. "Of course I'd be happy to have a conversation [for a third film], it just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!".
Entertainment Weekly revealed in September 2022 during an exclusive video that all three Sanderson Sisters would like to return for a third. Bette told EW:
"I'm envious of other actors who have franchises, and I was hoping for a sequel to First Wives Club, but we never got that. After 30 years with no sequel to Hocus Pocus, I've always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once. The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I'm glad we got to do it. I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing," Midler says. "If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how. I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It's good for women. We stick together through hell and high water, but we do cause mayhem, and not many women cause that much mayhem!"
In the same interview Kathy did show interest in returning for a third film but did express her concern that the ending to Hocus Pocus 2 appears like they've "pulled every story you could pull out of this". Sarah Jessica Parker also went on to add that she thought Kathy's idea of an animated sequel would be a great idea; "Kathy had a good idea that the third one should be animated. That would be cool and a smart idea. It's fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new [animation]," she explains. "Of course I'd be happy to have a conversation [for a third film], it just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!".
During the Hocus Pocus 2 premiere on September 27th 2022, Sarah Jessica Parker was once again asked about a potential sequel. She told Extra "Bette is already starting rumors," she said of a potential sequel. "I hitch my wagon to her star. If she wants to do a third one… No one says no to the Divine Miss M."
On October 9th 2022, executive producer Adam Shankman told The Hollywood Reporter:
“Anne (director) I think handled that really, really beautifully,” Shankman said of Becca’s discovery. “We went back and forth on how that was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think it’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement about potential spinoffs.”
June 4th 2023 saw Hocus Pocus 3 officially revealed to be in the works by Walt Disney Pictures President, Sean Bailey. In an interview with The New York Times, he simply said “Yes, ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ is happening” when discussing future live action projects that are currently in production at Disney.
Only days later on June 7th 2023, it was also confirmed that director Anne Fletcher would be returning to direct, along with writer Jen D'Angelo.
A few weeks later on June 29th, Sam Richardson (Gilbert) was asked by The Wrap whether he would return for Hocus Pocus 3, although he didn't confirm whether he would be back or not, he did go to say "I certainly hope so, I had such a great time playing Gilbert in Hocus Pocus 2. I'd go and play on that set any day of the week. You just tell me, I'll be there."
Over a year after Hocus Pocus 2 was released, On October 26th 2023 Jen D'Angelo revealed that the script was currently in the works "We're still in the story phase, we're still working on it. We've been working on some ideas, and it's been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore," D'Angelo says, going on to tease her interest in expanding on a key character from the 2022 sequel. "We've only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch." she told Entertainment Weekly.
And just under a month later Hannah Waddingham was asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether she had heard about a potential return for Hocus Pocus 3; "No, hilariously. I love that there’s been all this talk, and I’m here for it. But no, no. I mean, that would be amazing. I feel like I just barely, barely scratched the surface or put half an eyelash on for her. I feel like there is far more for the Mother Witch to cause magnificent mayhem. I would be so down for that. I mean, for one, Salvador Perez’s costume needs another trot out for sure, and my cape that I wouldn’t let them cut, definitely needs another swish. And she needs a song, P.S"
On June 27th 2024, Bette Midler was interviewed by SiriusXM. She briefly spoke of the success of both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 and mentioned that talks for a third were still happening. "We didn’t know that it was going to be a hit, and no one was as surprised as we were. And now they’re kind of talking about a third, very gingerly and very gently, they are, they’re talking about a third. And the second one was a huge success.”
On October 9th 2022, executive producer Adam Shankman told The Hollywood Reporter:
“Anne (director) I think handled that really, really beautifully,” Shankman said of Becca’s discovery. “We went back and forth on how that was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think it’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement about potential spinoffs.”
June 4th 2023 saw Hocus Pocus 3 officially revealed to be in the works by Walt Disney Pictures President, Sean Bailey. In an interview with The New York Times, he simply said “Yes, ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ is happening” when discussing future live action projects that are currently in production at Disney.
Only days later on June 7th 2023, it was also confirmed that director Anne Fletcher would be returning to direct, along with writer Jen D'Angelo.
A few weeks later on June 29th, Sam Richardson (Gilbert) was asked by The Wrap whether he would return for Hocus Pocus 3, although he didn't confirm whether he would be back or not, he did go to say "I certainly hope so, I had such a great time playing Gilbert in Hocus Pocus 2. I'd go and play on that set any day of the week. You just tell me, I'll be there."
Over a year after Hocus Pocus 2 was released, On October 26th 2023 Jen D'Angelo revealed that the script was currently in the works "We're still in the story phase, we're still working on it. We've been working on some ideas, and it's been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore," D'Angelo says, going on to tease her interest in expanding on a key character from the 2022 sequel. "We've only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch." she told Entertainment Weekly.
And just under a month later Hannah Waddingham was asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether she had heard about a potential return for Hocus Pocus 3; "No, hilariously. I love that there’s been all this talk, and I’m here for it. But no, no. I mean, that would be amazing. I feel like I just barely, barely scratched the surface or put half an eyelash on for her. I feel like there is far more for the Mother Witch to cause magnificent mayhem. I would be so down for that. I mean, for one, Salvador Perez’s costume needs another trot out for sure, and my cape that I wouldn’t let them cut, definitely needs another swish. And she needs a song, P.S"
On June 27th 2024, Bette Midler was interviewed by SiriusXM. She briefly spoke of the success of both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 and mentioned that talks for a third were still happening. "We didn’t know that it was going to be a hit, and no one was as surprised as we were. And now they’re kind of talking about a third, very gingerly and very gently, they are, they’re talking about a third. And the second one was a huge success.”
|
The following month on July 10th, Bette Midler was a guest on Busy This Week and an exclusive clip was shared via Entertainment Weekly.
During her interview she spoke about Hocus Pocus 3 and how she hadn't seen a script, but she had heard "rumblings". She also hoped that Disney would get to her and the rest of the cast as soon as possible to make a third. "I think if they're gonna, they oughta, because time is not just marching, time is barrel-assing to the finish line," Bette continued with "Get us while we're still breathing, I mean, God!" |
|
On the 19th of July, Bette Midler revealed in an interview with People Magazine that a script "should be forthcoming" and also “I actually haven't been paying much attention.” She was also asked where she would like Winifred's story to go and joked "Where I would like Winifred to go, hmm? Well, I think the Hamptons. Winifred in the Hamptons, I could go there. That would be fun."
When speaking of the Sanderson Sisters she added that they “come to such terrible ends at the end of every movie. I mean, you always have to drag them back from the dead, so you have to figure that out,” and that with regards to the storyline; “I can't figure that out. I can only figure out locations, Paris, London or the Hamptons!”
When speaking of the Sanderson Sisters she added that they “come to such terrible ends at the end of every movie. I mean, you always have to drag them back from the dead, so you have to figure that out,” and that with regards to the storyline; “I can't figure that out. I can only figure out locations, Paris, London or the Hamptons!”
